50 Shades of White

White paint - it sounds simple, right? But step into any paint store, and you’re suddenly faced with 50 (or more!) different shades, all promising to be “the perfect white.” Who knew white could be warm, cool, creamy, crisp, or even just… really confusing? So, if you’re ready to take the plunge but don’t know where to start, let’s break down the mystery of choosing the right white for your space.

How colour is perceived is entirely dictated by the light in the room, both natural and artificial, as well as the surrounding colours, textures and finishes. The vast variety of shades of white, if used wrong, can wreak havoc on the aesthetics of a space but we hope our handy guide below can shed some light onto the matter:

1. Consider the Room's Lighting

Natural Light: Rooms with plenty of natural light can handle cooler whites with blue or grey undertones. For darker spaces with less natural light, choose a warmer white with yellow or beige undertones to add warmth.
Artificial Lighting: The type of bulbs you use (warm, cool or daylight) can impact how the white appears. Warm lighting works well with warm whites, while cool lighting enhances crisp, bright whites.

2. Undertones Matter

Cool Whites: These have blue, green, or grey undertones and work well in modern, minimalist spaces or rooms with a lot of natural light. They feel crisp and clean but can appear stark in dim light.
Warm Whites: These have yellow, pink or beige undertones, adding coziness and softness to a space. They’re great for North-facing rooms, traditional interiors or rooms with less natural light.
Neutral Whites: Whites without strong undertones are versatile and work well in a variety of settings. They can complement both warm and cool color schemes.

3. Coordinate with Other Elements

Furniture and Decor: Consider the colors of your furniture, flooring, and artwork. Warm whites complement earthy tones and wood, while cool whites pair well with modern furnishings and greys.
Trim and Ceilings: If you plan to paint your trim or ceiling, choose a slightly different shade of white to create depth and contrast. A glossy finish on the trim with a matte or eggshell on the walls is a common approach.

4. Test Samples

Paint samples on different walls in the room to see how the light changes the color throughout the day. Check it under both natural and artificial light to ensure it fits your vision.

5. Room Purpose

For bedrooms or living rooms, warmer whites may create a cozy, inviting atmosphere. In kitchens and bathrooms, cooler or neutral whites often give a clean, fresh look.

6. Paint Finish

Choose the right finish to complement your white shade. A matte or eggshell finish will give a soft, elegant look, while a semi-gloss or gloss finish adds shine and is easier to clean, making it suitable for high-traffic areas.

Dulux Whites

Dulux has over 150 shades of white and off-whites alone, each offering a different look, feel and visual temperature. These shades vary in tone and undertone, allowing for a wide spectrum of whites that complement any space, lighting, and overall design aesthetic.

Dulux Absolute White has little pigment and light-reflective particles but is warmer than Brilliant White.
Dulux Frosted Dawn is a shade darker with very subtle yellow undertones. It has light-reflective particles and would be perfect for hallways and rooms without a lot of natural light.
Dulux Fine Cream has yellow undertones for North-facing spaces or small spaces with no natural light.
Dulux White Mist has grey undertones and adds coolness to a room to counterbalance sunlight, most suited for South-facing rooms.
Dulux Summer Linen is a good neutral white, perfect for any room with it's golden beige undertones.
Egyptian Cotton is a shade darker with it's yellow / beige undertone, perfect for any room to make it cosy and inviting.
Timeless is our all-time favourite for walls, ceilings, woodwork, paneling and details with its delicately warm, classic white finish that simply works in every room and with every colour of the spectrum.

Farrow & Ball Whites

Farrow & Ball offers a curated selection of approximately 20 shades of white. Their range includes a variety of tones, from crisp, clean whites like All White to warmer, creamier options such as Pointing and Wimborne White. Each shade is designed to bring a unique character to a space, with carefully crafted undertones that complement a wide array of design schemes, from modern to traditional interiors.

Farrow & Ball’s white paints are known for their depth and ability to respond to light, creating subtle changes in appearance throughout the day and offering a refined, understated charm.

All White is pure white, free from any undertones for a fresh, modern feel with a soft touch
Wimborne White is one of their best warm whites, a timeless classic, bright but soft. It is one shade away from All White with a slight warm undertone. It is a flexible wall colour and also great for ceilings and woodwork.
Wimborne White and Slipper Satin provide gentle, neutral hues that create a calming backdrop for those seeking a more muted or traditional look.
Pointing is slightly warmer, adding a subtle warmth with its creamier undertone.
Schoolhouse White is best for an evening room without much natural light
Dimity has red undertones, best for bedrooms and North-facing rooms

Final Thoughts

For a small rooms, light and neutral colours like whites and creams can visually expand the space as they reflect more light and create an airy, spacious feel. Top picks include Dulux Fine Cream and F&B Estate Off-White

For north-facing rooms, warm white paints with undertones of yellow or red are generally recommended for north-facing darker rooms,

F&B Wimborne White or Jasmine White are my top picks.

Red-based whites such as F&B Pointing, F&B Dimity or Dulux Almond White add warmth and balance, bringing a cosy summer glow to even the chilliest of rooms.

South-facing rooms are often bathed in golden sunshine throughout the day so it’s best to opt for cooler undertones that balance the warmth of the natural light and add depth to the space. Opt for cooling whites with hints of grey or green such as Dulux Rock Salt, F&B Wevet, F&B Skimming Stone, F&B Slipper Satin or F&B Off White.

For skirting boards and woodwork, choose a shade lighter than your walls. If you are using the equivalent of Timeless on your walls, choose Dulux Satinwood Pure Brilliant White or Albany Super Satin Brilliant White to ensure your woodwork stands out. For darker walls, popular choices for skirtings, doors and windows are Timeless by Dulux, Wimborne White and Pointing by F&B all having just enough warmth so they don't appear so stark against a coloured wall.

Ceilings are typically painted whiter than the walls. Choose Brilliant White or Pure White matt emulsion paints are good choices e.g. Armstead Contract White by Dulux. However, for darker walls, a bright white ceiling can sometimes disrupt the overall scheme and create a stark, unbalanced look. Instead, opt for a warmer white, such as Timeless by Dulux or Wimborne White by F&B. These shades feature a subtle touch of yellow, adding a gentle warmth that complements darker tones and gives ceilings a softer, more cohesive glow.